UK Home Office Announces Timeline for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme for Visa-Free Travel
London: The UK Home Office has unveiled the timeline for the implementation of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, aimed at facilitating visa-free entry to the UK. From January 8, 2025, tourists from Canada, the US and 47 other countries and territories will need an ETA before travelling to the UK. They will be able to apply for ETA authorisation from November 27, 2024.
For European nationals the requirement to secure an ETA for travel to the UK will commence on April 2, 2025, with applications opening in March of that year.
What is the UK ETA Scheme?
The ETA is part of the UK’s broader initiative to digitise and streamline entry into the country’s airports by the end of 2025. The system leverages facial recognition technology, allowing travellers to enter the UK without the need to use physical passport checks or interact with border force officers. Instead, travellers will apply online for the ETA, submitting biometric details and a photograph to the UK Home Office prior to their trip. This system aims to expedite legal travel and significantly reduce queues at UK border entry points.
In November 2023, the UK Home Office launched a similar scheme for citizens of Qatar. In February 2024, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, joined the ETA programme, who could apply for a single-use electronic visa waiver (EVW) instead of a visa, valid for up to six months. The fee for the EVW was €30. However, with the introduction of the ETA scheme, the EVW system will be entirely discontinued, and the new ETA application fee will be reduced to €10.
How to Apply for an ETA
To apply for an ETA, travellers will need to complete an online application. Most applicants will be able to submit their application through a mobile app. The process requires the applicant to provide details such as their biometric passport information, travel itinerary, email address, and payment details (credit or debit card). Applicants will also need to answer a few questions as part of the submission process.
Similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in the United States, a nominal fee will be applied to the application process. This fee is set at £10 (€11.66).
According to the UK Home Office, most applications will be processed and approved within 72 hours, provided they are submitted in advance of travel. The ETA can be valid for a period ranging from six months to two years, allowing travellers to make multiple entries into the UK without reapplying, as long as their travel falls within the validity period.
Is a Visa Still Required?
It is important to note that the ETA is not a visa. However, it is required for all travellers who are not currently obligated to apply for a visa before visiting the UK. This includes citizens from countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and European nations who are travelling for short stays. Failure to secure an ETA prior to travel could result in penalties.
UK and Irish passport holders, however, are exempt from the ETA requirement due to the provisions of the Common Travel Area agreement.
Overall, the ETA will be valid for up to six months or two years, depending on the issuance, allowing travellers to enter the UK multiple times during this period without needing to reapply.
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